"mortar"

Demonstrating Products That Perform!Project Description:Hollywood Road, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, is a wonderful community of restaurants and pubs and a fantastic example of an area well loved by residents. Improvements to Hollywood Road will create a more pleasant and more enjoyable experience for residents as well as anyone walking down the road or sitting outside one of the bars or restaurants. Product Showcase:Larsen Building Products – With almost 50 years experience in supplying products that perform for major projects nationally, our Streetscape BS 7533 paving mortar system is the preferred option for the installation of paving. Products used:         FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete • Ideal for pavements constructed with natural stone, concrete & clay paving units.FJM Eco Flowable Jointing Mortar• Filled the joints to complete the installation. Rapid setting with high early strength gain, FJM Eco can be opened to foot traffic in one hour.Tectonix – With over 35 years of combined know-how, Tectonix has a wealth of experience in procuring natural stone paving from around the globe and supplying into the heart of both the commercial and residential build environment. Products supplied:- Chinese & Portuguese granite, a mix of silver grey & buff colours. For further information or technical data sheets on the Larsen Streetscape product range, please visit www.larsenbuildingproducts.com. 

Premcrete assisted BAM Nuttall on the Heathrow Tunnel project to undertake refurbishment work on the main and cargo access tunnels to the airport.The Challenge:Heathrow Airport has awarded BAM Nuttall a contract valued at more than £85m to undertake refurbishment work on the main and cargo access tunnels to the airport.Part of the refurbishment works was to carry out concrete repairs to the spalled concrete using an R4 Structural Mortar in accordance with BS EN1504.The Solution:Premcrete supplied BAM Nuttall with Teknocem S which met the performance specification.

The Woodlands is a housing scheme from Willmark Homes that consists of eight beautiful six-bedroom detached properties. With an enviable reputation for building quality homes across the East Midlands, Willmark Homes wanted to ensure that this scheme was designed and built to the high standard of existing projects both internally and externally. The developer faced issues with the external areas at The Woodlands due to the sloping site conditions. Tobermore solved the problem quickly and efficiently with the provision of Secura Grand – a mortar-free retaining wall product with an attractive, aged finish.

UltraScape’s BS 7533 mortar paving system was used to rejuvenate a busy high street in Wakefield as part of plans to regenerate the area. Albion Court is an historic, well used thoroughfare which had deteriorated considerably and posed a health and safety risk to pedestrians. Wakefield Council, in line with English Heritage conservation principals, uplifted and re-laid the 80 year old cobbles to help preserve the historic surface using UltraScape’s system. ‘UltraScape’s products produced outstanding results and were easy to work with and will certainly be used on other schemes in the future.’ Wakefield Council.

Nottingham Trent University's (NTU) new centre for enterprise and innovation has become the latest higher education facility in the UK to feature state-of-the-art cladding panels from Proteus Facades.Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) new centre for enterprise and innovation has become the latest higher education facility in the UK to feature state-of-the-art cladding panels from Proteus Facades.With higher education providers realising that the design, amenities and external aesthetics of campus buildings are just as important as the courses and educational services on offer to students, specifiers are making more use of alternatives to traditional bricks and mortar.

A 150yr old stone built cottage had developed structural faults. The archway entrance was failing due to inadequate support causing distortion of the arch pier, the front door to jam and masonry cracking in the archway walls. HD BowTies were installed through the front elevation stonework and the first two floor joists to provide lateral restraint. HeliBars were bonded into the mortar beds to create masonry beams which assisted in distributing the loads above the arch. Crack stitching was undertaken to repair and stabilise the archway wall which was also secured to the internal cross wall with grouted CemTies.

Soap chiefs have moved Weatherfield from Manchester to nearby Salford so they have more space for filming. Builders have recreated The Rovers Return, The Kabin and Dev’s corner shop as well as the characters’ homes down to every minute detail. Builders laid about 11,000 cobbles, 190,000 bricks of different types and used seven colours of mortar so it looks realistic. The new set is full size so two cars will be able to pass each other on the Street. Broughton Brickwork used Naylor lintels whilst building the Coronation Street lots.

UltraScape’s BS 7533 Compliant Mortar Paving System has been used in the construction of Birmingham University’s new state of the art library. O’Brien Contractors installed hard and soft landscaping around the prestigious new library, which included 1200m² of yellow rock granite. paving. UltraScape’s Pro-Bed HS provided a perfect bound base. It can be laid up to 75mm in one pass. A special order of Flowpoint buff was produced for this project to compliment the paving elements. UltraScape’s Paving Guard surface sealant was applied once the grout had set to help preserve the installation.

Ultrascapes’s Pro-bed HS, Pro-Prime and Flowpoint have been performing to the highest standard at Manchester’s £650 million development, MediaCityUK. Landscape paving contractor, English Landscapes, specified Ultrascape products for 40,000m² of paving at the high profile development. Over 2000 tonnes of Pro-Bed HS bedding mortar was supplied in bulk silos which provided a perfect base for the stone to be laid on. Pro-Prime slurry primer and the innovative Ultrascape Flowpoint flowable rapid setting grout were also used throughout the development. Flowpoint enables large areas to be grouted with this pourable material.

This project combines SuDS bound permeable paving with the most up to date methods of construction in BS 7533-101 and a variety of build-ups over varying substrates including structural concrete, permeable concrete, made up ground and attenuation crates.The Steintec tuffflow system of permeable bedding and jointing mortars was used to construct a SuDS permeable, bound/rigid pavement. The system allows the designer to capitlize on the low maintenance, high durability of a BS structurally compliant bound/rigid public realm pavement, while avoiding the disadvantages of loose bedding and jointing aggregates used in conventional SuDS pavement construction.

The Almac Building in Northern Ireland needed a 2,400 m² storage area for flammable solvents to have an electrically conducting floor. This was necessary to ensure the materials' safe containment and help with explosion control. The floor had to be chemically resistant, support VNA forklift trucks, and meet specific electrical resistance standards. GMP Industrial Ltd. installed the floor using Arturo's static resin floor system, which included primers, repair mortars, and a self-smoothing floor. The project was complex due to the sensitivity of the area and the need for precise electrostatic control. The installation was completed in October 2022, with final approval granted in November 2022.

Kings Cross has been under development for more than a decade with commercial and residential structures dominating. Now there are new life science labs being built by developers Ardmore. Their architects Bennetts Associates took inspiration from The Arbour at Walthamstow and pushed to use Site Strocks using the abundant London clay being extracted for the piling and deep basement on site. HG Matthews took the clay and using the new tooling invested for the Site Strock project to process it to the desired mix. This was the first project to properly test off-site material for compression and flexural strength, compression and flexural strength of the clay mortar and fire testing. Passing each hurdle then led to 6m high non-loadbearing walls in the basement to line the building rather than more concrete blocks. Clay blocks mean a better air quality, better humidity performance with good thermal mass. The use of Site Strocks at this scale and by such big developers and contractors really showcases the issues faced by these materials and the solutions found in using them, some provided by HG Matthews, others found through discussion with the contractor. For instance the blockwork sub-contractor was unsure about how to build with clay block and clay mortar so we invited them to the factory for a demo build along with architect and contractor representatives. It soon emerged that this was an easy and non-controversial process and the work commenced. Later bike racks were installed using the standard fixings, short screws intended for use with concrete. After initial problems the contractor found longer fixings with some help from us and the bike racks were fixed. Building on this scale with site material in central London is ground breaking in more ways than one, it starts to open the door for lower emission, circular economy materials to be used anywhere and everywhere.

An architect designed, self-build house with annexe for a multi-generational family built to zero-carbon standards.The scheme’s design is influenced by the architectural vernacular of the area. The surrounding houses are a legacy of the Land Settlement Association scheme, with distinctive mansard roofs, steeply sloping gables and dormer windows, constructed in a simple red brick with terracotta plain tiles.The mansard is reflected in the new house with the roof extending down to form the walls. Instead of terracotta tiles, large format slate has been used to form a modern equivalent. The house is mainly slate tile; however, it was felt important to also reflect local brickwork. As such, brickwork was used for two huge brick-faced chimney stacks that rise through the gable.PROJECT INFOTo form a contrast with the very smooth grey of the slate, a textured red brick with slight colour variation was sought. White mortar lightens the brickwork while recessed mortar joints are used inside to provide shadow to each brick. Perforated brickwork surrounds the stone coping on both chimney stacks, adding visual interest to the building through both the materials and the shadows created by the brickwork perforations.The brick selected was stock thrown Hampton Rural Blend from Forterra’s Ecostock range. It has a rustic finish resembling handmade brick. Ecostock bricks are manufactured using the latest technology in sustainability and production efficiency, producing bricks with low embodied energy as well as advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.The structure incorporated huge amounts of insulation, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, and a solar photovoltaic array at the bottom of the garden, along with a ground-source heat pump. These installations will ensure that the house generates more electricity than it could ever use.

Paspoel, a Belgian hamlet, has experienced huge population growth since 1950. Over the past few decades, social housing company, Woonzo, built a number of residential blocks, called Paspoel Anders, which had since become obsolete, so were demolished and replaced with new, modern buildings, featuring brown/black nuanced ‘Flemming’ bricks from Vandersanden. With a clear preference for a textured facing brick with a timeless character, a brick height of 5cm was selected to allow flexibility for interplay, with bricks protruding by a few centimetres on some facades relative to other surfaces. A thin-bed mortar gives the brick a sleeker lookTo find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the View more' link 

Award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre, specified bricks and brick slips from innovation-led manufacturer, Vandersanden, to emphasise the horizontal volumes and architectural context of the contemporary, new Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University in London. Zero®, a new brick system from Vandersanden, offers a contemporary joint-free appearance and was WilkinsonEyre’s material of choice for the external walls of this 80m-long, seven-storey ground-scraper. Instead of being pointed up to the face of the bricks, the mortar is set well back, with rainwater draining behind. The use of brick draws attention to the horizontality of the building’s volumes and blends with neighbouring buildings...To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

Challenge: The structure was had severe structural degradation due to the ingress of moisture and water over its near 100-year life. Corrosion to the steelframe resulted in tensile forces cracking and moving the brick skin, also causing a cracked façade. Strategy: ICCP was used as a method to control corrosion whilst the cracking and movement were repaired. This involved LoCem® and +point® AACM anode mortar to be grouted in the bed joints, alongside embedded corrosion rate sensors for service life tracking (AchillesICP and AiMS). LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative, that can also act as a cathodic protection anode. Outcome: The structure was restored to be used as high-value residential apartments, saving tonnes of embodied carbon and eliminated the option of demolition. The embedded system successfully controlled and monitored corrosion for the long term, adding an additional 100 years to the structure’s service life.

Renovation stripping out the building completely and rebuilding the walls, Passive Purple® was applied in between the connections of the internal side of the external walls which were a combination of masonry, timber, and steel frame. The ground floor ceiling was removed exposing the warped old timber joists with cracks in the surrounding brickwork and mortar. This was given attention to detail using Passive Purple® Brush to seal above an airtight foam to guarantee the airtightness of this major air leak zone before the final spray coat of Passive Purple® airtight membrane was applied. Passive Purple® was also used to seal window and door linings, ready for the new triple glazed windows to go in. Passive Purple® was sprayed on all the walls and ceiling. This is an ongoing project that still is awaiting an air test, the client is looking to hit 2.5 ach and installing MVHR.

The ChallengeBrick Kiln Lane is a development of seven, four and five-bedroomed, cottage-style units situated at the end of residential road in a quiet, rural area of Leicestershire. There are two different designs: four L-shaped and three rectangular. Each of the seven houses needed unique elements of detailing – including window variations, render and brickwork – to distinguish it from its neighbour.The SolutionHampton Rural Blend brick was chosen to complement the character style of the development. Combined with recessed mortar joints, the brick blend, which is made up of several shades, creates a more aged appearance that helps the houses to sit comfortably within their environment.The BenefitsThe brick detailing on the units includes dentilation around the eaves and gables, and segmental arches over windows, all of which are in keeping with the traditional architectural style of the units and serve to enhance their aesthetic appeal.

Challenge: Concourse Village Plaza houses apartment blocks, retail shops, a multiplex cinema and underground parking. Chloride ingress and weathering has taken its toll on the structure with cracking and spalling of the concrete cover from reinforcement corrosion.Strategy: Significant concrete repair in conjunction with an ICCP system was needed for the structure. LoCem® +chase®, will be used specifically for reinforced concrete structures, where the ICCP anode mortar operates within slots cut and holes drilled strategically into the reinforced concrete structural elements. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative that can also act as a cathodic protection anode.Outcome: With the design of the ICCP for the Central podium completed, construction will begin in 2023 before moving to the West and East podiums. The project and is expected to go on for the next 2.5 years. The result of the project will be an ESG compliant strategy that will create a more resilient structure, utilising low carbon build materials that can control the impact of corrosion.

In partnership with Vinci Construction UK, we supplied BS 7533 compliant bedding course, jointing and priming mortars for the £350million Stoke-on-Trent City Council City Sentral redevelopment, comprising 3,500m2 of natural stone paving. The project was installed in the state-of-the-art new bus station designed by Grimshaw Architects and will form an impressive gateway into the city. The SMET Streetscape® portfolio complies with the rigorous requirements of BS 7533 with all products undergoing independent testing and certification to confirm compliance. By providing a superior level of customer service and focused aftercare to our Smet Supported Partners with the Streetscape® brand, we demonstrate best-practice in Streetscape Hardscaping construction partnerships. Click for more detailed information on the SMET Streetscape® BS 7533 range:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/products/streetscape/Click for more on some of the projects we have supplied to:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/projects/by-product/streetscape-high-strength-bedding-concrete/Contact SMET for any Streetscape enquiries.

Material Cultures architect group have a long association with HG Matthews and have used Strocks at The Design Museum and numerous other sites. The project is revitalising the Wolves Lane Centre in Wood Green – a former council-run plant nursery and garden centre taken on in 2017 by a consortium of community organisations and volunteers. The team have added four low-carbon buildings to the site, constructed from bio-based materials including clay, straw and locally sourced timber. The scheme focuses on growing and distributing ‘wholesome food’ and engaging local communities in education, enterprise and events.The project is billed as a ‘replicable model for community-led market gardens’ and is backed by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth-funded Market Garden City programme. This aims to develop plots for local food production, distribution and kitchens which also offer access to green space, training, volunteering and employment. Strocks and clay mortar were used in two of the buildings which compliment the earth plasters perfectly as well as the other structural elements of straw and timber.

SMET supplied Streetscape® BS 7533 compliant laying course materials including; bedding course, jointing, and priming mortars, to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the Streetscape element of the Lockerbie Town Centre Public Realm project. The project, comprising of 2,500 m2 of hardscape paving was designed and realised by leading Environmental Consultancy, Ironside Farrar. The SMET Streetscape® portfolio complies with the rigorous requirements of BS 7533 with all products undergoing independent testing and certification to confirm compliance. By providing a superior level of customer service and focused aftercare to their Smet Supported Partners, Smet Building Products Ltd, with the Streetscape® brand, demonstrates best-practice in Streetscape construction partnerships. Contact SMET for more information on your Streetscape® BS 7533 Compliant Laying Course Materials.Click for more detailed information on the SMET Streetscape® BS 7533 range:Click for more on some of the projects we have supplied to:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/projects/by-product/streetscape-high-strength-bedding-concrete/Contact SMET for any Streetscape enquiries.

Shooters Sports bar is a modern sports bar located in Neath Town Centre, a principal area of Port Talbot, Wales.  A popular venue, well known for its 6 screens showing live sports, licensed bar and pool, American pool and snooker tables.Delta Registered Installers, Tywi Damp Proofing were first approached to offer remedial assistance with a section of wall which was experiencing severe water ingress.The structure being of reinforced concrete and old wall construction was allowing water ingress via cracks in the structure.Most faults in older structures which allow water ingress are either damaged or deteriorating mortars.Any cracks in the brickwork or substrates will also allow water to enter a structure and would need addressing in creating a Grade 3, habitable space under BS8102:2009 “Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground”.Prior to proposing remedial works, ground water assessment, drainage and associated risk assessments were all undertaken.

Located between St. David's and Aberdour, the tanker terminal at Braefoot Bay is a base for the export of liquefied petroleum gas. The terminal consists of two jetties located on the north shore of Incholm Island. The gas is piped to the Mossmoran Plant in Fife direct from the North Sea, broken down to form ethane and then converted into ethylene, the basic hydrocarbon 'building block' of the petrochemical industry. The products are then piped the final three mile journey to the Braefoot Marine Terminal where they are fed into tankers and gas carriers for markets in Europe and the USA. The terminal is operated jointly by Shell Expro and Exxon.The jetty was suffering from increasing levels of deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure due to the relentless corrosive action of the marine salt environment on the reinforcing steel. A remedial plan was developed to carry out repairs and to introduce a cathodic protection (CP) system to greatly enhance the protection level and therefore extend the life of the structure. The plan was prepared by structural engineers from Shell, led by Hans Verheyde, and Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK (BBCS) was awarded the contract.Two major factors had to be accommodated within the repair programme. Firstly, the tidal flow that submerged the lower part of the jetty twice every 24 hours and secondly, the jetty is a fully live and very active transport hub and shipping schedules had to take precedence at all times. Round-the-clock flexible working maintained delivery of the twelve-month project.Saint-Gobain Weber's specialised repair concrete products were specified for the remedial actions on the Braefoot Bay jetty and technical application advice was provided for the active phase of the project. A suspended scaffold was designed and installed which allowed fast access when the tide ebbed so that productivity could be maintained. Traditional techniques were used to breakout the spalled and cracked concrete and to wash out the surface chlorides and clean the existing reinforcement steels.webercem five star repair concrete CP is a shrinkage-compensated, high strength, low resistivity, flowing repair concrete designed for use in conjunction with CP systems. This pre-blended cementitious concrete fully complies with the Highways Agency Specification Class 29F for high-strength flowing concrete for major structural repairs. It contains non-reactive aggregates with a low soluble-alkali cement content which is particularly important where CP is to be used. The rapid strength development and dimensional stability of webercem five star repair concrete CP – which reaches 27N/mm² in 24 hours – was especially valuable in the tidal conditions in Fife. Tight shuttering was used on the wide beam sections of the jetty to take the poured concrete which reached an integral bond with the original concrete. This process reformed the structural integrity using products with proven durability.An innovative CP system using Duogard® hybrid anodes from CPT was installed to protect the steel reinforcement with the anodes fixed into the soffits with a special CPT mortar. Where the CP installation required chases to carry the cabling, webercem HB40 high-build structural repair mortar was used to fill and seal the chases. webercem bondcoat, a polymer-modified, cementitious bonding aid and steel reinforcement primer, was first applied into the chases to ensure enhanced bonding. webercem HB40 is an acrylic-polymer modified, single component mortar and is lightweight with high build qualities. It can be applied in layers up to 75mm thick vertically, and 50mm on overhead soffits, and can be used without formwork. It was then applied onto the tacky webercem bondcoat primer and finished flush to the concrete surface.The Braefoot Bay terminal project has been completed successfully and Dewi Miller, contracts manager, BBCS, is confident that the jetty protection will extend the working life of the structure. "The products we have used are excellent and the application methods have enabled us to deliver a high degree of protection and reinstatement to the concrete structure. Working on a live site in a tidal zone has required a flexible work schedule but the whole project has worked exactly to plan and the client is very pleased with the result. The Weber materials have been the key to achieving this success."

One of the first residential developments created and offered for sale by Westminster City Council, Cosway Street, in Marylebone, London is a collection of 49 contemporary homes set around an attractive communal garden. Vandersanden’s Cayenne, Woodland Mixture and Lima bricks are integral both to the pre-cast Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) panels, forming the facades, and the traditional hand-laid brickwork lining the balcony spaces. This landmark building was inspired by the area’s Georgian terraces and Victorian mansion blocks. From the choice of materials to the precise proportions and the gentle curves of the scalloped panels, every element of the architecture has been considered to help stitch the scheme into its setting. David Miller Architects took over the project post planning approval. The design intent was to craft the building as if it had been carved from brick. A key decision was to employ pre-fabricated DfMA brick panels for the main facades, alongside traditional hand-laid brickwork for the inset balconies. Using this approach allowed the construction team to build quickly to a precise, high quality and efficient standard in a controlled manufacturing environment, using less energy and carbon and creating less waste. The idea was to split the building’s mass using the materiality, colours and textures of the three different bricks and the scalloped form of the panels to respond directly to the context of the site. The choice of bricks was incredibly important and had to meet the planning design intent explains Sundas Rohilla, project architect at David Miller Architects. “It was essential to ensure we were picking up the right tones of reds, yellows and greys from the existing buildings; Vandersanden’s Cayenne, Woodland Mixture and Lima do this perfectly. They also harmonise with the pigmentation of the concrete sills and copings, as well as with the window and balcony railing colours.” “We’d used Vandersanden products on a previous project for Westminster City Council and we’re now using them to deliver two other projects in the same area, Ashbridge Street and Ashmill Street. It comes down to the hues and the textures that the bricks offer and the company’s commitment to sustainability.” The mass of the building is reduced not only by the different blocks of brick colours but also by the gradation of the mortar colours across the façade. In all, there are five mortars with the darkest at the base of the wall and the lightest at the top. Using mortars in this way meant that there was no need to use different brick types to achieve the same effect, but it did mean that it was essential to have bricks of the right texture and consistency. The brick panels were pointed off-site in the factory. With such a complicated design, off-site construction meant that precise tolerances could be achieved, and the quality of the brickwork could be seamless. In all, 285 precast panels were manufactured by Decomo in Belgium to create 3.500m2 of finished facades. Dueto the façade’s differing curvatures, Decomo had to cut and bond the bricks to various sizes with 117 different shapes for each of the three brick colours. The bricks used by Decomo in Belgium exactly matched those being used on-site by the bricklayers, with Vandersanden working closely with the design team and directly with Decomo to manage this process. “Vandersanden was incredibly helpful and responsive from the start, providing samples and initial quotes during brick selection,” notes Rohilla. “The company’s approach to sustainability and collective wellbeing resonates with ours as an architectural practice. Knowing that Vandersanden has Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that are super open means that we can easily compare against other products. It feels like sustainability is really embodied into their culture.”  “Our experience with Vandersanden has been great and their products have helped us deliver top quality housing. Everyone involved is very proud of the building’s aesthetic and that is due to the bricks. It’s been a very good experience and we hope to keep working with them.”The design for Cosway Street was by Bell Phillips, realised by Osborne and David Miller Architects as their delivery architects. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

Challenge: Many elements of the iconic skyscraper were facing embedded steel corrosion, including the structural steel lattice columns within the colossal terracotta enclosures. The expansion of the steel caused by the corrosion was severely damaging the masonry cladding and cracking the six-foot-tall terracotta bison heads.Strategy: Installation of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system at the steel sections with the colonnades on 29th to 32nd floors. The system consisted of LoCem® +point® anode mortar was applied within the bed joints and drilled in to provide 360° protection of the steel surfaces. The bison heads were deconstructed, steel cleaned-up and masonry reconstructed. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative (AACM), which can also act as a cathodic protection anode for controlling steel frame corrosion.Outcome: The ICCP system resulted in long-term performance and control for the whole life preservation of our clients’ assets. Using AchillesICP for control over corrosion rate, and AiMS to collect the data, the client had full transparency over structural health and the power to make predictive maintenance decisions.

We supplied our Irish-produced Streetscape® BS 7533 compliant laying course materials including; bedding course, jointing, and priming mortars, to Scottish-based principal contractor, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd for the hardscape element of the new Helix Park project in Falkirk, Scotland.The hardscape element of the Helix Park, comprising of open-space paving and connecting pathways, totalling 9,000 m2 of granite paving, was expertly laid by paving contractor, Granite Paving Specialist Ltd. The SMET Streetscape® portfolio complies with the rigorous requirements of BS 7533 with all products undergoing independent testing and certification to confirm compliance. By providing a superior level of customer service and focused aftercare to our Smet Supported Partners with the Streetscape® brand, we demonstrate best-practice in Streetscape Hardscaping construction partnerships. Click for more detailed information on the SMET Streetscape® BS 7533 range: https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/products/streetscape/Click for more on some of the projects we have supplied to:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/projects/by-product/streetscape-high-strength-bedding-concrete/Contact SMET for any Streetscape enquiries.

The ChallengeA rapid build retaining wall solution was required to cut down the construction programme.House builders are experiencing extraordinary pressure to meet targets despite the shortage of materials and skilled labour. Contractors are faced with incredibly tight construction programmes which are difficult to deliver on.This challenge is prevalent throughout GB and Ireland, and the case is no different on Bushby Fields Housing Development in Leicestershire. Contractor P Hughes explored every opportunity to claw back on their construction programme, without compromising quality, sustainability, health or safety on the Bloor Homes site.When considering retaining wall options, P Hughes first considered traditional masonry walling. But as skilled brick layers are in short supply and masonry walls are slow to build, they were open to alternatives.The SolutionSecura Grand was selected as it is readily available, quick to install and doesn’t require skilled labour.Tobermore is proud to have supplied their Secura Grand Segmental Retaining Wall System to the Bushby Fields Housing Development. Secura Grand is used in the attractive colour Slate to prevent sloping site issues as well as creating a more efficient use of land. Secura offered a cost-effective mortar-free solution which promised a fast and easy installation process.

Challenge: C-Probe's LoCem® +chase® anode mortar has been installed at the Omni Shopping Centre Car Park in Edinburgh, Scotland to 4 levels of underground car parking as part of a comprehensive corrosion management strategy. Overtime the popular car park had succumbed to structural damage and corrosion caused by the ingress of chlorides from de-icing salts from above.Solution: This system comprised of 42 ICCP zones and 7 additional monitoring zones forlevels protected using surface-applied corrosion inhibitors. In addition to this, some 6000 C-Puck galvanic anodes were used to protect newly repaired areas to 2 levels. All the anodes and monitoring could be controlled and data accessed remotely throughoutthe car park with AchillesICP and AchillesIES, helping to extend its service life for 100+ years.Outcome: This ESG compliant approach meant there was no need for demolition or extensive reconstruction using new materials, helping to reduce waste and harmful emissions. Reconstruction was also a near-impossible strategy due to underground facility and electric tram on land, meaning something non-invasive like cathodic protection was essentialto minimise social disruption. 

Job:Wilton House BelfastSmet Supported Partner:Kelly Bros Contracting for Poplar Investments LtdProducts:bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coatbauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/PlasterRelated DownloadsTDS CASEA bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim CoatTDS CASEA bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime Based Render/PlasterEPD – CASEA bauprocalc 830SMET and Haldane Fisher NHL BrochureCLEAN WALL® BrochureDescriptionbauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coat and bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/Plaster was selected for the internal plastering and external render in the renovation of this important historical building in Belfast. Principal building contractor, Kelly Bros. on behalf of Poplar Investments Ltd was tasked with this mammoth renovation project which comprised 15 Luxury Apartments, in-situ concrete frame, brick and render & Zinc standing seam Facade, completed with a flat roof.WHY USE LIME-BASED RENDER AND PLASTER?SMET’s bauprocalc products are CE-marked, factory-produced hydraulic hardening skim coat plasters and render based on lime, specially designed for hand and machine application produced to DIN EN 998-1. bauprocalc KG and bauprocalc 830 contribute to a healthy internal atmosphere. They are an excellent alternative to plaster and renders containing gypsum or patent cement that have less vapour permeable qualities.They are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms where high humidity levels are expected. bauprocalc KG produces a mortar that is softer than cement mortar. After the initial set, stability and strength gradually build up over time, allowing enough flexibility to cope with minor settlement or movement in the building during this period, thereby reducing the risk of cracking.bauprocalc 830 has unique properties, making it suitable for application on low, medium and high-density substrates, especially suited for the renovation of old /listed buildings and ecological new builds. Good vapour permeability performance allows an unhindered transference of excess internal moisture through the building to the outside, thereby contributing significantly to a balanced and healthy internal atmosphere.SMET is delighted to have supplied its bauprocalc plaster and render for the lime rendering and plastering of Wilton House, helping Poplar Investments Ltd & Kelly Bros transform the 19th-century Belfast city centre building into unique, hotel-like, serviced apartments. Michael Brannigan from Poplar Investments said, “Historical features are preserved not only in the appearance of the building but also in the actual buildup, which was exemplified by the use of lime plaster as it was done 200 years ago to ensure wall breathability” (Source: NB 32-4).Check out SMET’s range of lime and lime-based products available from Smet Building Products Ltd.

Award-winning Surrey-based firm, Fletcher Crane Architects, has specified Vandersanden’s 65mm Antro facing brick for interiors and exteriors at Tree House, an impressive, new, contemporary home in Ealing, West London. Located in a conservation area and constructed on a 12 x 12m former garage site, bounded by rear gardens, Tree House is a two-bedroom property that stands assertively against the characterful and repetitive villas in the street. Fletcher Crane has designed the home as an articulated series of volumes in a split-level arrangement of rooms around a central spine. The kitchen and living room sit on the upper storeys to make the most of natural daylight while the two bedrooms are submerged within semi-sunken floors.Boldly deployed and celebrated for the texture, variation and interest they provide, Tree House’s components are a fundamental part of the Fletcher Crane vision. Inside and outside the home, extensive use is made of three principal materials to create a naturally appealing, raw palette of black ash timber, tubular metalwork and multi-coloured Antro brick from Vandersanden.The load bearing Antro brickwork is exposed and flush-jointed with traditional lime mortar to create a unifying, almost monolithic appearance. ‘Baubuche’ structural timber joists span the brick structure, while, in the basement, the in-situ concrete frame is left bare. The central staircase is encased in ash timber panelling which is set against more curved Antro brickwork and sharp metal balustrades. Outside a sunken planted courtyard is accessed using stepped Antro brick planters and a paddle stair constructed of black cobble setts.“We like the texture, the tones and the variety that the Antro brick gives us at Tree House,” says Harry Reid, Architect at Fletcher Crane Architects. “Vandersanden offers a significant range of these light multi-coloured bricks, both in white and grey hues which are very attractive for this type of project. The company supplied us with a number of sample options for comparison and contrast, and we duly selected Antro as our brick of choice. We’re delighted with it, particularly in how the Antro brick combines with the lime mortar, and other components at Tree House to create the overall feeling of an intimate yet generous home that’s filled with light and rich in materials.”Antro is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a grey base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture to the brick. The clay structure evokes darker and lighter tones out of the base grey along with shades of white in the overall final appearance.For more information on Fletcher Crane Architects go to https://www.fletchercranearchitects.com/. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' linkCredit: Photography by Lorenzo Zandri © 2021

application area: heritageuse type: wood fireplace in country mansionproject scope: restore georgian fireplaces, keep large fireplace openingadded value: non-destructive solution, ideal for heritage buildings BackgroundThe 18th Century Georgian Country House is a Grade 1 listed building and also English Heritage. The owners of the Derbyshire home wanted to use the original antique fireplaces with the existing large openings. The pargetting in the chimneys had fallen away and the mortar joints were leaking into different parts of the building. Lining with stainless steel liners was not feasible here as it would have compromised the cross sectional area of the chimney and the fireplace opening would have had to be closed down considerably.Due to the protected status of the building extra caution had to be exercised to minimise the effects of the works carried out to the interior of the building.Statement of workThe installation was quick and it did not impact the structure of the building. 4x Furanflex RWV liners were installed, each was finished within a day’s work, making it possible to use the period fireplaces once again. The most important requirement was to keep the current chimney sizes the same. This was made possible by FuranFlex25, which was inflated inside the chimney flue to expand into the available space, maximising the lined flue size.

AG was appointed by Meegan Builders for the provision of hard landscaping products in the construction of a brand-new office and manufacturing building for Combilift, Co. Monaghan.AG supplied its premium Plaza paving in Salt and Pepper for the front of the building structure; a popular 600x200x50 granite water-etched paving, which offers long life with minimal maintenance. AG’s Plaza paving offered the correct power and durability to be fit for purpose, without sacrificing on aesthetics. Plaza is manufactured using extremely high-quality aggregates, giving it uncommon durability and excellent slip resistance that truly lasts under areas of high traffic and pressure.A colour mix of Salt and Pepper was selected to contrast with the lighter building structure and to offer a hard-wearing alternative to traditional granite composites. AG’s Plaza paving is produced in the UK using locally sourced aggregates, with a high percentage of recycled materials in the base mix. 100% renewable energy is used during the production process, something AG has been committed to introducing throughout its product ranges.AG also supplied Steintec products to complement its Plaza paving; in this instance, Tufftop, a high-performance jointing mortar designed for modular paving was selected. This free-flowing grout makes paving surface cleaning very straightforward and when used in conjunction with AG’s Plaza block, ensures longevity and minimal maintenance for Combilift’s new manufacturing base.

Project detailsKenwood, a kitchen appliance manufacturer in Hampshire was suffering with dusty floors and wanted to improve the visual appearance of the warehouse area. Kenwood contacted Watco because they had come to trust our products, having used them over many years. We suggested not only the most suitable repair products and floor coatings but a trusted and experienced flooring specialist to apply the products, Aedean Flooring Ltd in Farnborough, Hampshire.Our solution The floor was shot blasted and lightly ground before being repaired with Watco Concrex® Carbon Fibre, an incredibly strong epoxy resin repair mortar and Watco Flowpatch®, a pourable patch repair material for heavily trafficked floors. Aedean suggested the use of colour inside the aisles, which Kenwood thought was a good idea as it would making identifying each aisle easier. Epoxy Gloss Coat in mid grey was used in the main walkways in the warehouse so that the area could be back in use quickly after coating. The colours chosen for the aisles were: Safety Yellow, Signal Red, Royal Blue and Black. Epoxy Gloss Coat is an extremely tough and decorative industrial floor coating which is ideal in situations where durability is important. "We are delighted with the outcome which completely revitalised the appearance of the warehouse, protecting the floor for many years to come."

The Department Store Studios by Squire & Partners is a four-storey contemporary workspace in Brixton, extending the refurbishment of The Department Store. It offers 13,000 sq ft of workspace and 4,500 sq ft of retail space, with flexible workspaces, serviced social and meeting areas, a neighborhood bar, restaurant, and screening room.The Department Store Studios features projected snapped header brick details using a bespoke blend of handmade Hampshire Red, Light Victorian Red and Farnham Red bricks. These bricks have been uniquely arranged to produce a textured finish that contrasts white mortar and smooth stone lintels. Taking inspiration from the robust Edwardian aesthetic of The Department Store, the new development features patterned brickwork and contemporary faceted bay windows. Black Smooth bullnose engineering bricks line the ground floor to fit within the neighbouring buildings. A setback fourth floor creates generous external terraces, and is planted with a green roof to enhance biodiversity. faceted bay windows, and a green roof for enhanced biodiversity.Inside, the building emphasizes sustainability with exposed cross-laminated timber, brick finishes, and exposed services. A 120 sqm green roof and 27 solar panels support renewable energy use. The Studios also promotes local businesses through a Residency scheme for young entrepreneurs and a curated event program for skill sharing and creativity.

The Rhondda Heritage Park is a renowned tourist destination in South Wales, offering a glimpse into the coal mining community that thrived in the area for over 130 years until the early 1980s. Every year, thousands of visitors take a guided tour led by former colliery workers to experience the life of coal miners.The Heritage Park takes great pride in its appearance and the local heritage it represents. However, the aging asphalt roof terraces that covered the old mine shafts had been leaking constantly, damaging the visual appeal of the visitor site.The ChallengeThe Polyroof technical team was called in to help with the waterproofing and refurbishment of the two roof terraces, measuring over 1100m², that protected the underground mining attraction. After conducting a thorough survey of the roof terrace areas, a customized specification was prepared. This specification included a comprehensive set of recommendations for addressing the issues that had caused the aged and worn condition of the terrace areas over the years. To support the proposal, additional information was provided to the client to demonstrate how a liquid system could seamlessly encase and waterproof the terraces while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing solution that was true to the authenticity of the site.Satisfied that the solution proposed would provide the long-term peace of mind they were looking for, the Heritage Park awarded the contract to RM Polymers Ltd.Before starting the work, any areas affected by fungal growth or moss were treated with Polykill Anti-Fungal Wash to eliminate all spores. Any holes in the asphalt were smoothed out or removed, and levelled using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All large cracks and voids were cleaned and repaired using the same mortar.PVC protrusions were removed and surfaces were cleaned with acetone. Any damaged, loose, or unsound concrete or brickwork was removed and repaired using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All repairs were allowed to cure and dry before priming.The SolutionOne of the main features of the tourist attraction is the mining carts that were used to transport coal around the mine tunnels during its operation. Similar to train tracks, the mining cart tracks are fixed into the ground using metal bolts and fixings which over time had become a weak point for water ingress. Concrete and sandstone had been used as a “quick fix” to prevent rainwater entering the mine shaft below but a long-term solution was now needed. The cement and sandstone was carefully chiselled from the rails, exposing the original metal tracks which were then lifted and abraded back to their original condition. Whilst lifted, the underlying surface was made good before the application of the Protec System. Railway sleepers were then laid on a sacrificial layer on top of the waterproof membrane, upon which the tracks and mining carts were re-instated.As the terraces are constantly trafficked by the general public, the client was clear that an anti-slip finish would be required on any walkway areas.Following the application of the Protec System, Polyfinish and Quartz Sand Anti-Slip was applied to all walkway areas, to provide slip resistance and surface protection. A 50mm margin around the perimeters of the terrace was masked off to provide a neat termination of the anti-slip finish. Ensure masking tape was removed whilst resin was still wet. Then a third coat of Protec Resin was applied at a minimum coverage rate of 0.5Litres/m² (2.0m²/Litre) and whilst wet, clean dried quartz sand (0.7 – 12mm) was broadcast at an approximate coverage rate of 4.0kg/m². Once cured, the loose sand was removed.WorkmanshipThe engine houses along the tour experience featured vast amounts of intricate details and unique items and structures, such as “Bertie and Trefor” – the names given by the mine owner to the mine head stock wheels. This presented an exceptional challenge, particularly in regards to the difficulty of working on the intricate details of the degraded mastic asphalt upstands and decking.As a result of many years of weathering and gravity, the vertical sections of asphalt on the raised terraced roof had slumped and rippled, leading to stress cracks and ultimately water ingress. To overcome this ugly problem, the asphalt was stripped from these vertical sections back to the concrete and removed from site in accordance with the Health and Safety policies in place. The contractor then installed new 18mm OSB3 to these areas to create a flat substrate for the Protec System. The incorporation of Polyroof pre-formed GRP Drip trims at the bottom of the OSB3 ensured the timber would not be exposed to any rain water in the future as well as provide a neat, edge detail.To keep the overall aesthetic feel of the site, the application of the liquid waterproofing system at wall abutments was critical. This, combined with the undulating nature of the stone and brickwork meant that the contractor would not be able to install a cover flashing or termination bar. Instead, the contractor carefully dressed the system onto the wall to the standard minimum 150mm upstand height and into a chase.The edging was then finished with a mortar to provide a neat and clean weatherproof finish, in-keeping with the traditional methods of the site at the time of its construction.The roof terraces that cover the old mining areas also act as the main walkways to the Heritage Centre’s tour routes. Therefore, one of the main challenges of the project was the complex planning of the works to ensure that the site continued to operate so not to financially impact the heritage park. It was imperative that works were complete within an 8-week period with 17,500 visitors booked in for their annual Santa’s Grotto Experience Tour beginning in early December.The application speed of the catalyst cured Protec System, combined with communication between the contractor and the site to ensure unobtrusive installation, meant the centre stayed open and the tours running with minimum disruption.The benefits of using a fast-curing liquid waterproofing solution were also vital due to the ever-changing micro-climate in the Welsh valleys. On any single day, the weather would serve up anything from bright sunshine to windy, rainy conditions. Therefore, the fast-curing Protec System, combined with the flexibility of the installation team, who gave up weekends when required, ensured the project was finished on schedule. The works were completed to an extremely high standard with full encapsulation of the roof terrace areas and without a single detail being left exposed to the elements.ConclusionThe unique aspects of this project certainly kept the team on their toes. But they were determined to complete the project on time.The team worked tirelessly, even giving up their weekends to ensure that the project was completed on schedule. Despite the harsh Welsh weather, they pushed on and were determined to make sure that Santa could visit the children of the Welsh Valleys. It was a challenging project but the team’s hard work and dedication paid off.Finally, the project was completed and the results were astounding. The roof terraces are now fully waterproofed and refurbished, and the visual appearance of the visitor site was greatly improved. It was a project that was both memorable and rewarding to all those involved.